39 comments:

Note we've rebranded ourselves, and have dropped all mention of newspapers:About GannettGannett Co., Inc. (NYSE: GCI) is an international media and marketing solutions company that informs and engages more than 100 million people every month through its powerful network of broadcast, digital, mobile and publishing properties. Our portfolio of trusted brands offers marketers unmatched local-to-national reach and customizable, innovative marketing solutions across any platform. Gannett is committed to connecting people – and the companies who want to reach them – with their interests and communities. For more information, visit www.gannett.com.

Wow, we're really changing fast. Just two months ago, we were:Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE: GCI) is an international news and information company operating on multiple platforms including the Internet, mobile, newspapers, magazines and TV stations. Gannett is an Internet leader with hundreds of newspaper and TV web sites; CareerBuilder.com, the nation's top employment site; USATODAY.com; and more than 80 local MomsLikeMe.com sites. Gannett publishes 82 daily U.S. newspapers, including USA TODAY, the nation's largest-selling daily newspaper, and more than 600 magazines and other non-dailies including USA WEEKEND. Gannett also operates 23 television stations in 19 U.S. markets. Gannett subsidiary Newsquest is one of the UK's leading regional community news providers, with 17 daily paid-for titles, more than 200 weekly newspapers, magazines and trade publications, and a network of web sites.

About GannettGannett Co., Inc. (NYSE: GCI) tried everything under the sun but was late to the party every time. We thought we use to be an international media and marketing solutions company that informed and engaged more than 100 million people every month through its powerful network of broadcast, digital, mobile and publishing properties - but as you know now that was just a bunch of buzz words strung together after a great happy hour. But now we are in the midst of a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Liquidation. Our portfolio of trusted brands is now completely worthless. We use to think we matched local-to-national reach and customizable, innovative marketing solutions across any platform. But as you all know now that was just a bunch of crap our old CEO Craig thought up on a golf outing. Gannett really has no commitments anymore except to the bankruptcy judge and as far as connecting to people – well if our creditors get a penny on the dollar they should consider themselves lucky. For more information, visit www.gannett.com while the site is still operational.

"Good advice, except I would recommend 2 to 3 years of living expenses saved, in this economy especially. If you don't you will find yourself in a world of hurt."

Seriously? If you're out of work for two or three years, I got news for you: You ain't getting back in the workforce anytime soon and two or three years isn't enough. If I were an employer and saw that the job applicant couldn't even pick up decent contract work -- enough to keep things going -- during that time, I'm passing to the next candidate.

So two words to the 'gosh darnit, I just can't get a job anywhere' types out there: Get freelance work. It's out there. (And not just for editorial.) Or start a business. Nobody is stopping you from marketing what you do, or what you want to do. You can't just sit there, send resumes into managers who ignore you for full-time work, and then feel sorry for yourself.

As for the practically random method of downsizing at GCI referenced in other posts? Yes, it's absolutely random. Because it's all about "the position" and "the organization plan" as devised by senior execs who have no idea who actually produces and who doesn't. Hell, they don't even know what the people below them look like, much less what they do. I was let go with 7/10ths of my department. As for the remaining 'survivors'? Some were quality people. Others needed an hour meeting with six staffers just to decide what kind of coffee to drink in the morning.

Which is another reason to tell "the man" to take a hike and be your own boss. Yeah, it's hard work. But isn't anything that's worthwhile?

My advice remains the same: Layoffs will continue at least on a drip-drip-drip basis. Less clear is whether there will be a broader round of layoffs, as we saw in November and, to a less extent, during February.

There has also been, at USA Today at least, a steady drip-drip-drip of hires across all platforms.

Not that a hire makes up for the heartbreak of a firing -- 100 firings are still 100 firings, even if 50 new people are hired -- but there is at least hope and future still at the chain's struggling flagship.

For some people -- for their physical and mental well-being -- leaving BEFORE they are laid off makes much more sense. Some people might never be laid off, but their job duties are changed to absorb the work done by the people who have been laid off. In such cases, you might want to leave before you become so miserable it ruins your health. But always, have a plan, and have some savings.4/05/2011 4:29 PM

Working for Gannett was the easiest job I have ever had... too bad it ended, I made about $60k a year on average and basically did nothing for it. When the furloughs came it was great, because I only needed half of what I made anyway, so it was like getting extra vacation ever year, plus since I was on salary I had to take it a week at a time. So to all of you that are working so hard for Gannett just don't do it and enjoy it as long as you can. Working for the Arizona Republic was like just showing up and getting paid, so miss the 2 and 3 hour daily lunches.

If you're unfortunate enough to be one of the random people laid off for "organizational reasons", you're probably going to be offered the TPP package. Given the restrictions on that plan, it makes no sense to work hard to get re-employed immediately. It's nice to have the cushion while seeking a new job, but you don't want to jeopardize the TPP payments by seeking temp work. Someone who hasn't been able to secure any kind of work in two or three years, however, has a different problem.

Hey 2:53, 10:05 here: Before you spout off with cheap shots about my speaking only for editorial and talking out of my a--, please, again, read the following sentence that I posted more carefully this time:

"Get freelance work. It's out there. (And not just for editorial.)"

You can freelance (contract) anything these days and many employers now see it as the preferred way to hire. Accounting, marketing, design, photo, Web content, SEO, etc. etc.

So next time, read the entire post before going postal, ok?

As for whether to get that kind of work or collect your severance: Hey, your call folks. If you got just three or five weeks, why not take a break and get all you can out of GCI. But if you got more than that, you better be pretty certain there's employment waiting for you at the end of that period. Because if I were a boss and I asked 'how come you haven't worked in six (or 12) weeks' and you told me, 'I was looking to collect all of my severance,' I'd perceive that as a work ethic/character weakness. Better after a couple weeks off to get yourself back to using your skills in some capacity to demonstrate that you're still active in your chosen field. Hence, the freelance work. (Again, 2:53, read carefully: Meaning ANY contract work that matches your vocational background ... Not just writing/editing.)

Oh, btw: Plan on at least a month of marketing yourself before you start getting regular, contractual work. At least. So maybe waiting until that last dollar is squeezed from GCI sounds less and less like a good idea ...

To 4:37I'll say this before someone else does. Guess that's why you're not at the AR anymore. Someone else was doing your work, and probably still is.4/05/2011 5:14 PM

Obviously you never worked at the Arizona Republic or know anything about the work culture there. The Arizona Republic was and is the largest revenue generator for Gannett and as such operated on autopilot for a number of years (and to a large extent still does). So when you say I'm no longer there because I wasn't contributing or that someone else is doing my job is non-sense. I worked in the advertising department which was the golden child, the work load there was light at best, so nobody was picking up my work load because there was so little to actually do. We went to happy hours on the company dime and all sorts of outings and had a huge budget for frivolous expenses. So before you judge somebody, we worked at the elite newspaper in the chain, I'm sure it probably was different where you might have been working.

You can freelance (contract) anything these days and many employers now see it as the preferred way to hire. Accounting, marketing, design, photo, Web content, SEO, etc. etc.

So next time, read the entire post before going postal, ok?

As for whether to get that kind of work or collect your severance: Hey, your call folks. If you got just three or five weeks, why not take a break and get all you can out of GCI. But if you got more than that, you better be pretty certain there's employment waiting for you at the end of that period. Because if I were a boss and I asked 'how come you haven't worked in six (or 12) weeks' and you told me, 'I was looking to collect all of my severance,' I'd perceive that as a work ethic/character weakness. Better after a couple weeks off to get yourself back to using your skills in some capacity to demonstrate that you're still active in your chosen field. Hence, the freelance work. (Again, 2:53, read carefully: Meaning ANY contract work that matches your vocational background ... Not just writing/editing.)

Oh, btw: Plan on at least a month of marketing yourself before you start getting regular, contractual work. At least. So maybe waiting until that last dollar is squeezed from GCI sounds less and less like a good idea ...4/05/2011 6:50 PM

Ok, blah, blah, blah..... I haven't worked in almost 2 years and LOVING IT. I worked in advertising and freelancing doesn't exactly fit that mode and I worked for the Arizona Republic.... so ding ding ding that is in Arizona which has the WORST employment rate outside of Detroit. So to be out of work here for 2 years or more after being laid off is honestly the norm. Again you seem like a person that doesn't have a clue what they are talking about, but love to tell everyone what to do. Why do you think that everyone wants to rush back to work..... I worked at the Arizona Republic for over a decade and if I don't work again, its alright by me. I saved enough money for the rest of my life... obviously you are NOT so well prepared.

"Because if I were a boss and I asked 'how come you haven't worked in six (or 12) weeks' and you told me, 'I was looking to collect all of my severance,' I'd perceive that as a work ethic/character weakness."

and I totally agree with 6:59 PM

who would ever say to a prospective employer the above statement....and 6:59 is totally right, if your not working and looking for a job that is the norm and if you are working and looking for a job, the potential employer is wondering what is wrong with you that you would want to leave a job in Arizona's economy.

So what job does someome in their late 40's or 50's do in this country when their lifetime job has been webbing a press? Any suggestions of where these workers are going to look for another job now Gannett is accelerating consolidations and scrapping presses?

So what job does someome in their late 40's or 50's do in this country when their lifetime job has been webbing a press? Any suggestions of where these workers are going to look for another job now Gannett is accelerating consolidations and scrapping presses?4/05/2011 7:54 PM

If you have been doing that your whole life, you should kick back and relax now and enjoy all the money that you have saved and invested. Oh, ya you are probably one of those individuals that is all prepared and spent every cent you had and now blame everyone but yourself.

8:11 I have no idea how old you are, but I have seen this job reduction sweep through the back shop of newspapers, from the elimination of stereographers, printers and now pressmen. I have heard smug comments like that before when these crafts that once put together newspapers were put to death. So I note with no particular joy that this recession and the technological revolution it is bringing, is now cutting a swath through the newsroom. I only wish you well and Godspeed.

8:11 I have no idea how old you are, but I have seen this job reduction sweep through the back shop of newspapers, from the elimination of stereographers, printers and now pressmen. I have heard smug comments like that before when these crafts that once put together newspapers were put to death. So I note with no particular joy that this recession and the technological revolution it is bringing, is now cutting a swath through the newsroom. I only wish you well and Godspeed.4/05/2011 8:35 PM

Don't know what you are talking about....but a little about me...I got laid off, don't work and don't plan to ever work again.... I saved and invested my money.. obviously you didn't and I'm in my mid 40's.

It is always easy to criticize people when you are not in their position. You have no idea what it is like to work a job for over 10 years and then lose it. We all try to plan for the future but sometimes circumstances change our plans. You have no idea about the health circumstances of the people you are criticizing. They could have cancer, a loved one who is sick or a child with a life threatening illness. Never throw out your better than thou philosophy until you have walked in that person's shoes. I think it is a disgrace how you are treating your fellow employees. What is wrong with you? Who made you the GOD and maker? This is a place for employees to voice their fears and concerns not to be disgraced like Gannett has already done to them. Wake up and smell the coffee. Someday this could be you — so lets not be so smug and proud. Any one of us could be in this circumstance. Have some compassion and concern for your fellow employees. That is what is wrong with America today. We care too much about ourselves and could care less about other people who are suffering. Take a very long hard look in the mirror. You probably aren't going to like what you see looking back.

1) " You have no idea what it is like to work a job for over 10 years and then lose it."

Yes I do, I got let go after over 10 years with Gannett.

2)"They could have cancer, a loved one who is sick or a child with a life threatening illness."

Uhhh, I think that is what health insurance is for.

3)"Never throw out your better than thou philosophy until you have walked in that person's shoes."

If I had any of those issues it would suck but I have the money and resources to take care of it, so I hear what you are saying, but I don't care.

4)"This is a place for employees to voice their fears and concerns not to be disgraced like Gannett has already done to them. Wake up and smell the coffee. Someday this could be you — so lets not be so smug and proud. Any one of us could be in this circumstance. Have some compassion and concern for your fellow employees. That is what is wrong with America today. We care too much about ourselves and could care less about other people who are suffering. Take a very long hard look in the mirror. You probably aren't going to like what you see looking back."

You are a very confused and pitiful person, this is just a blog for entertainment purposes and to get some information but to take it all with a grain of salt, you seem overly sensitive and maybe need professional help and I love how I look LOL.

Jim says: "Proceed with caution; this is a free-for-all comment zone. I try to correct or clarify incorrect information. But I can't catch everything. Please keep your posts focused on Gannett and media-related subjects. Note that I occasionally review comments in advance, to reject inappropriate ones. And I ignore hostile posters, and recommend you do, too."